Device for dispatching resin cartridges for a bolting device

ABSTRACT

The device stores a specific number of sealing cartridges ( 8 ) provided to be introduced into drilled holes. It comprises at least one receptacle ( 5, 6 ) containing cartridges ( 8 ) arranged horizontally one above the other, and being positioned above a loading area ( 28 ) in communication with a dispatch area ( 29 ) for the cartridges ( 8 ). Between each receptacle ( 5, 6 ) and the loading area ( 28 ) is provided a rotary distributor ( 15 ) activated in a controlled manner to remove the cartridges from the receptacle one by one.

The present invention relates to a device for dispatching resin cartridges or cement cartridges, not excluding here other sealing materials, for a bolting device used in the field of mining and quarrying, or even in the field of civil engineering and in particular the boring of tunnels.

A technique for propping which is common at the present time consists, after having drilled a hole, for example in the “roof” of a mine gallery, in introducing into the drilled hole one or more resin cartridges, of elongate shape, then in positioning in this hole an anchoring bolt, the sealing thereof being carried out by the resin of the cartridges. For this use, rapid-setting resin cartridges and slow-setting resin cartridges are known. As a variant, it is also known to use cement cartridges which are stored dry and dampened during their use.

The drilling of holes intended to receive the cartridges and then the anchoring bolts is conventionally carried out by means of a bolting device, provided with a pivoting turret which bears a drilling carriage and a bolting carriage—see for example the French patents no. 1 359 297 and no. 2 677 703. Such a bolting device may be provided with a device for injecting resin cartridges: in this case, after drilling a hole, the turret is pivoted into an intermediate position, for which the device for injecting the resin cartridges is moved into the axis of the drilled hole. One or more resin cartridges are then introduced into the drilled hole, then a second rotation of the turret moves the bolting carriage into the axis of the hole, having received the resin cartridge(s).

Currently, in such an operating cycle, the introduction of the resin cartridge or cartridges into the previously drilled hole is carried out most frequently by means of a pneumatic injection device, of the “pistol” type as disclosed for example in the French patent no. 2 386 682 (or its equivalent the U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,953). Such a device does not allow the introduction of the cartridges to be automated, and it remains an essentially manual device. In particular, the operator has to introduce the cartridges one by one into the device, which does not have any integrated system for storing the cartridges, it being necessary for said cartridges to accumulate in the vicinity of the operator. Thus, the use of such a device for injecting the cartridges remains tiresome and it has the risk of miscounting the cartridges introduced into a hole, or of an inappropriate (manual) cycle, with, as a result, a risk of incorrect support of the anchoring bolt or of putting personnel in danger.

Devices with a magazine for injecting resin cartridges are also known, which make it possible initially to store a specific number of cartridges to be introduced. Nevertheless, this type of device continues to have a non-programmable cycle, the operating cycle having to be installed manually, in this case also with a risk of error in the number of cartridges introduced. The total number of cartridges being able to be simultaneously stored in the magazine remains limited and the loading of these cartridges into the magazine is tiresome since the cartridges have to be inserted one after the other into their respective housings. Generally, such a device is only suitable for cartridges of a defined diameter, corresponding to the housings. Finally, the space required by a magazine device remains large relative to the number of stored cartridges, due to the volume which remains unused in the centre of the magazine.

The present invention aims to eliminate the drawbacks, disclosed above, of the current devices and the object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for storing and injecting resin cartridges which may be adapted to a bolting device, which has a large storage capacity as regards the number of cartridges and which is adapted easily to any size of cartridge, whilst remaining very compact and which is also easy to use, in particular concerning the loading thereof with cartridges, and which may operate according to a cycle which may be easily automated, providing complete safety.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for dispatching cartridges for a bolting device, of the type specified in the introduction, the device being adapted to store a specific number of cartridges provided to be introduced into the drilled holes, this device being essentially characterized in that it comprises at least one receptacle for receiving the cartridges, adapted to contain cartridges arranged horizontally above one another, the receptacle(s) being positioned above a loading area for the cartridges which communicates with a dispatch area for the cartridges and, between the or between each receptacle and the loading area for the cartridges, being provided with distributing means for the cartridges, means which may be activated in a controlled manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the device for dispatching cartridges which is the subject of the invention comprises two juxtaposed receptacles for cartridges, in particular a first receptacle for storing cartridges known as “slow”, i.e. slow setting cartridges, and a second receptacle for storing cartridges known as “rapid”, i.e. rapid setting cartridges; in this case, the distributing means for the cartridges are provided at the bottom of each of the two receptacles, above a common collecting chute of “V-shaped” profile, itself forming part of the loading area for the cartridges. Two types of cartridges may thus be stored separately, selected and dispatched.

Advantageously, the or each receptacle for cartridges has at least one mobile transverse partition, which may be adjusted in position in the longitudinal direction of this receptacle so as to adapt said receptacle to the length of the cartridges.

The or each receptacle for cartridges may comprise, in particular in its lower area located just above the distributing means for the cartridges, a detector for detecting the presence or level of the cartridges in this receptacle. The functions of distribution, loading and dispatch of the cartridges may therefore be automatically deactivated if the receptacle used is empty or only contains a very small number of cartridges.

The or each receptacle for cartridges may further comprise, in particular in its lower area located just above the distributing means for the cartridges, motorized agitating means for these cartridges. These motorized agitating means for the cartridges advantageously consist of at least one oscillating flap activated by a rotating cam which is coupled, directly or indirectly, to a motor for driving in rotation. The oscillating flap ensures correct positioning of the cartridges, in the lower area of the or of each receptacle, with regard to their protection and their removal by the distributing means.

In one embodiment of the invention, the distributing means for the cartridges consist, for the or for each cartridge receptacle, of a rotary distributor in the general shape of an elongate cylinder with a substantially horizontal shaft, provided on its periphery with at least one longitudinal housing adapted to receive a cartridge and to transfer it from the receptacle towards the loading area, said cylinder being coupled, directly or indirectly, to a motor for driving in rotation.

Advantageously, for the or for each cartridge receptacle, to the extent where said receptacle is provided with an oscillating flap functioning as an agitator, the rotating cam activating the oscillating flap on the one hand, and the cylinder of the rotary distributor on the other hand, are coupled to a common motor for driving in rotation, in particular by means of a chain transmission or belt transmission.

Preferably, a sensor is associated with the cylinder of the or of each rotary distributor, for counting the number of turns carried out by this cylinder or by its shaft. The cylinder depositing, at each full turn, a cartridge in the loading area, a means being used for monitoring the number of cartridges able to be selected to be dispatched simultaneously into the same drilled hole.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the dispatch area is located in the direct extension of the loading area and a thrust jack is provided for the displacement in translation of each cartridge from the loading area towards the dispatch area.

Once positioned in the dispatch area, each cartridge is dispatched, i.e. sent into the previously drilled hole, by blowing compressed air. To allow this operation, a flap is provided which is mobile between an open position and a closed position and located between the loading area and the dispatch area: the opening of the flap allows the transfer of a cartridge from the loading area to the dispatch area, whilst the closure of this flap allows, from the side of the dispatch area, the action of the compressed air on the rear of the cartridge for its dispatch. This closure of the flap may be carried out solely by gravity.

Advantageously, the dispatch area comprises a detector for detecting the presence of a cartridge in this area, so as to allow the dispatch process by blowing air only in the event of the actual presence of at least one cartridge which has reached this dispatch area. This detector may be associated with the flap and detect the opening thereof during the passage of a cartridge.

As a whole, therefore, the invention provides a device for dispatching cartridges which constitutes a storage magazine for a specific number of cartridges, and which is provided to select the cartridges one by one, by removing them from this magazine, before dispatching them towards the drilled hole intended to receive them.

This device has the advantage of having a large storage capacity, as regards the number of cartridges relative to its volume and to its spatial requirement, whilst allowing easy reloading of the receptacle(s) from the top.

Moreover, the distributing means, in addition to the design of the areas for loading and dispatching cartridges, ensure a reliable removal of the cartridges from the receptacle(s), the reliability being further increased by the various detection means provided.

The operating cycle of the device may be easily automated, with the selection of the number of cartridges to be dispatched at each cycle, and automatic stoppage, in the event of the receptacle being empty, or in the event of a cartridge jamming, in particular in the region of the distributing means or of the loading area. This cycle may be programmed according to various options.

The automation of the operation of the device thus contributes to the operating comfort and the safety of the operator.

Furthermore, the device of the invention may be easily adapted to various types and dimensions of cartridges. In particular, the receptacle(s) may, without any alteration, receive cartridges of different lengths and also of different diameters.

In any case, the invention will be better understood by means of the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, showing by way of example an embodiment of this device for dispatching cartridges:

FIG. 1 is a general view, in perspective, of a device for dispatching cartridges according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a further general view, in perspective, of this device for dispatching cartridges;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, passing through the two receptacles of this device;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective and in section, showing specific internal parts of the device for dispatching cartridges;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the detail of the area for dispatching the cartridges;

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the housing defining this dispatch area.

The device for dispatching cartridges shown in its entirety on FIGS. 1 and 2 has a structure made of sheet metal with, in particular, two opposing longitudinal vertical walls 2 and 3 and an intermediate vertical partition 4 which define a first receptacle 5 and a second receptacle 6, which are juxtaposed and covered by a common pivoting lid 7. The two receptacles 5 and 6 are both provided to receive the cartridges 8, in particular resin cartridges. For example, the first receptacle 5 is provided for the storage of “slow” cartridges 8 and the second receptacle 6 is provided for the storage of “rapid” cartridges 8. Both the two receptacles 5 and 6 are also defined, at both ends, by two opposing transverse walls 9 and 10. At least one mobile transverse partition 11, of which the position may be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of each receptacle 5 or 6, makes it possible to adapt each receptacle to the length of the cartridges 8 which it is designed to receive.

In their lower part, the two receptacles 5 and 6 have a narrow portion, produced in the manner of a hopper by inclined walls 12 and extend downwards through a vertical outlet slot 13 defined by the vertical walls 14 which approach one another. A rotary distributor 15 is placed below each outlet slot 13.

Each rotary distributor 15, of elongated cylindrical shape and with a horizontal shaft 16, comprises a series of discs 17 fixed to this shaft 16, each disc 17 being provided on its periphery with a housing 18 in the form of a notch, of which the angular position coincides with that of the similar housings of the other discs 17.

Each horizontal shaft 16 of a rotary distributor 15 is coupled at one end, by means of a reduction gear 19, for example with a worm and a worm gear, to an electric drive motor 20. The drive means are thus located, for example, on the side of the terminal wall 10 of the receptacles 5 and 6, whilst on the side of the other terminal wall 9 the two horizontal shafts 16 are simply guided in the bearings 21.

The two rotary distributors 15 associated respectively with two receptacles 5 and 6, are arranged above a collecting chute 22 of “V-shaped” profile, which is common thereto.

Inside each receptacle 5 or 6, just above the lower narrow portion in the form of a hopper, is arranged an agitating flap 23, mounted to oscillate about a horizontal shaft 24 carried by the intermediate vertical partition 4. Each oscillating flap 23 is activated by a rotating cam 25 having, for example, the shape of at least one eccentric disc mounted to rotate about a horizontal shaft. A chain transmission or synchronous belt transmission 26 connects the shaft 16 of each rotary distributor 15 to the shaft of the rotating cam 25 associated with the same receptacle 5 or 6, such that the same electric drive motor 20 ensures, simultaneously, the driving in rotation of the rotary distributor 15 and the driving in rotation of the rotating cam 25, and thus the activating of the oscillating flap 23.

The collecting chute 22 forms part of a lower part in the shape of a box 27 of the device which ensures the support thereof, the lower part constituting a loading area 28 and a dispatch area 29 for the selected cartridges 8, removed from one or other of the two receptacles 5 and 6. The dispatch area 29 is located in the direct horizontal extension of the loading area 28, and a horizontal thrust jack 30 is arranged so as to be able to displace a cartridge 8 from the loading area 28, i.e. from the bottom of the collecting chute 22 towards the dispatch area 29.

As FIGS. 5 and 6 show more particularly, the dispatch area 29 located at the bottom of the device in front of the terminal wall 9 of the receptacles 5 and 6, comprises a housing 31 defining an internal chamber and which is provided, along its horizontal axis, with an inlet aperture 32 in direct communication with the loading area 29 and, opposite the inlet 32, with an outlet aperture 33 surrounded by a connection 34 adapted to receive the outlet of a flexible pipe (not shown) able to move the cartridges 8 at a distance towards a slide of the bolting device. The housing 31 also comprises a lateral inlet 35 for compressed air for the dispatch of the cartridges 8.

A flap 36 articulated on a shaft 37 is pivotably mounted inside the housing 31. The flap 36 is thus mobile between an open position (visible on FIG. 5) and a closed position, in which it seals the inlet aperture 32 and thus ensures a sealed separation between the loading area 28 and the dispatch area 29.

For monitoring the operation of the device for dispatching the cartridges, said device further comprises:

-   -   in the lower area of each receptacle 5 or 6, a detector 38 for         detecting the presence of cartridges 8;     -   in the region of each rotary distributor 15, a sensor 39 which         ensures the counting of the number of turns carried out by this         rotary distributor 15 or by the shaft thereof 16;     -   a further detector 40 for detecting the presence of cartridges         8, located in the dispatch area 29.

More particularly, said detector 40 may be produced as a detector associated with the flap 36 and activated by a screw 41 connected to the shaft 37, to detect the opening of the flap 36 at each passage of a cartridge 8.

All the detectors or sensors 38, 39 and 40 are connected to an electronic control unit, not shown, from which operating cycles of the device may be programmed and controlled entirely automatically or partially manually. On this unit, a selector makes it possible, in particular, to select an automatic mode or a manual mode, or even a “programming” mode to set up the working of the device. The two electric motors 20 are controlled, in particular, by the unit for driving the two rotary distributors 15, in addition to the thrust jack 30 of the loading area 28 and conveying compressed air into the dispatch area 29 through the corresponding inlet 35.

In “programming” mode, the operator programs the automatic operating cycle, in particular by selecting the type and the number of cartridges 8 to be dispatched at each cycle.

In automatic mode, according to the programming implemented, a sequence is carried out comprising the positioning of a first cartridge 8 in the loading area 28, the pushing of this first cartridge 8 into the dispatch area 29, then the positioning of the following cartridge 8 in the loading area 28 and the pushing of said cartridge into the dispatch area 29, and which makes it possible subsequently, therefore, to accumulate a specific number of “slow” and/or “rapid” cartridges 8, at the outlet of the pipe connected to the housing 31, according to the programmed sequence. Then, by activating a specific push button, the simultaneous dispatch of all these cartridges 8 is actuated by the action of compressed air.

In manual mode, the operator controls separately and successively, by acting on push buttons, the positioning and the loading of each cartridge 8 by selecting each time a “slow” or “rapid” cartridge. As before, the operator then activates a push button which actuates the dispatch of the cartridge(s) 8.

In all cases, at the bottom of the receptacle 5 or 6, the selection of a cartridge 8 is carried out by a rotation of one full turn of the corresponding rotary distributor 15, during which rotation a cartridge 8 “falls” into the housing 18, describes a half-turn about the horizontal shaft 16 and is delivered into the upper part of the collecting chute 22, from where it rolls as far as the bottom of this chute 22. The simultaneous oscillating movement of the agitating flap 23 guarantees the correct positioning of the cartridges 8 in the lower area of the receptacle 5 or 6, with regard to its removal by the rotary distributor 15. The “V-shaped” profile of the receiver chute 22 brings all the removed cartridges 8 into the same axis, whether these cartridges come from the first receptacle 5 or from the second receptacle 6.

Each cartridge 8, thus reaching the bottom of the collecting chute 22, is pushed by the jack 30 as far as the dispatch area 29 by engaging in the pipe extending this area. During this transfer, the cartridge 8 lifts the flap 36 by making it pivot about the shaft 37. At the moment of dispatch, the closure of the flap 36 under the action of gravity prevents the reflux of compressed air towards the loading area 28 and guarantees that all the power of the compressed air injected through the lateral inlet 35 is exerted on the rear of the cartridges 8 to propel them along the pipe as far as the slide of the bolting device. A lateral water inlet 42 is possibly used to dampen the cartridges 8 at the time of their dispatch.

During a cycle, due to the detectors 38 for detecting the presence of cartridges, it may be observed that a receptacle 5 or 6 is empty or almost empty, and if it is a receptacle of which the cartridges 8 are currently being used, the cycle is automatically stopped. The operator then has to replace cartridges 8 in the receptacle 5 or 6 concerned, and to restart the cycle manually.

During the cycle, in the event of a cartridge 8 jamming, for example in the region of the rotary distributor 15, a supplementary cycle is able to be automatically restarted. In the event of persistent jamming, this cycle is stopped. The operator then has to unblock the jammed cartridge(s) 8 and manually restart the cycle.

In addition to these automatic actions and depending on the equipment of the device and the control unit thereof, it is also possible for the operator to diagnose visually, by illumination or flashing of lights, the filled state of the cartridges 8 in the receptacles 5 and 6 or the jamming of a cartridge 8.

It will be noted that a perforated embodiment, for example in the form of a grille, of the longitudinal walls 2 and 3 of the device also allows direct visual monitoring, on this device, of the filled state of the cartridges 8 in the two receptacles 5 and 6.

The device for dispatching resin cartridges, described above, may be fitted to a bolting device in a suitable position for loading the cartridges in the two receptacles 5 and 6 thereof, and for the maintenance thereof. The device for dispatching cartridges is thus placed at a greater or lesser distance from the slide of the bolting device to which it is attached by the aforementioned flexible pipe.

On the subject of the positioning of this device for dispatching cartridges, it will also be noted that it is preferably positioned outside the operator cab of the bolting device, for reasons of safety (gaseous emanations during operation) and cleanliness. The fact that the device is able to store an increased number of cartridges and to dispatch them without direct human intervention on the device, permits such external positioning.

It might also be conceivable to design the device for dispatching cartridges, the subject of the invention, as an entirely autonomous device, in particular as a mobile device mounted on casters which allows it to make use of two or more bolting devices, or to complement the existing bolting devices. The compact nature of the device for dispatching cartridges according to the invention makes it easily transportable and thus makes it possible to produce said device, if this is desired, as an autonomous device.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the single embodiment of this device for dispatching cartridges which has been described above by way of example; it embraces, however, all the variants respecting the same principle. Thus, in particular, there would be no departure from the scope of the invention:

-   -   by having recourse to all means equivalent to those disclosed,         in particular by using on the device motors and jacks of any         type, namely electric, pneumatic or hydraulic;     -   by producing this device with a single receptacle, and also with         a single rotary distributor, in which case a single type of         cartridge may be stored and dispatched at a given moment;     -   by designing the rotary distributor(s) with more peripheral         housings which are regularly spaced on the circumference of each         distributor, in which case a rotation of only a fraction of one         turn is carried out for the distribution of each cartridge;     -   by intending this device for the storage and dispatch of         cartridges of any type, not only resin cartridges but even         cement cartridges or those of any other appropriate sealing         material. 

1. A device for dispatching resin cartridges, or cement cartridges or those of any other sealing material, used in the field of mining and quarrying, or in the field of civil engineering works, the device being adapted to store a specific number of cartridges provided for being introduced into drilled holes, wherein it comprises at least one receptacle for cartridges, adapted to contain cartridges arranged horizontally above one another, the receptacles being positioned above a loading area for the cartridges which communicates with a dispatch area for the cartridges and, between the or between each receptacle and the loading area of the cartridges, being provided with distributing means for the cartridges, means which may be activated in a controlled manner.
 2. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 1, comprising two juxtaposed receptacles for cartridges, in particular a first receptacle for storing cartridges known as “slow” cartridges and a second receptacle for storing cartridges known as “rapid” cartridges, distributing means for the cartridges being provided at the bottom of each of the two receptacles, above a common collecting chute of “V-shaped” profile, itself forming part of the loading area for the cartridges.
 3. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receptacle for cartridges has at least one mobile transverse partition, which may be adjusted in position in the longitudinal direction of this receptacle so as to adapt said receptacle to the length of the cartridges.
 4. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receptacle for cartridges comprises, in particular in its lower area located just above the distributing means for the cartridges, a detector for detecting the presence or level of the cartridges in this receptacle.
 5. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receptacle for cartridges comprises, in particular in its lower area located just above the distributing means for the cartridges, motorized agitating means for these cartridges.
 6. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 5, wherein the motorized agitating means for the cartridges consist of at least one oscillating flap activated by a rotating cam coupled, directly or indirectly, to a motor for driving in rotation.
 7. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 1, wherein the distributing means for the cartridges consist, for the at least one receptacle for cartridges, of a rotary distributor in the general shape of an elongate cylinder with a substantially horizontal shaft, provided on its periphery with at least one longitudinal housing adapted to receive a cartridge and to transfer it from the receptacle towards the loading area, said cylinder being coupled, directly or indirectly, to a motor for driving in rotation.
 8. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 6, wherein for the at least one receptacle for cartridges, the rotating cam activating the oscillating flap on the one hand, and the cylinder of the rotary distributor on the other hand, are coupled to a common motor for driving in rotation, in particular by means of a chain transmission or belt transmission.
 9. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 8, wherein a sensor is associated with the cylinder of the rotary distributor for counting the number of turns carried out by this cylinder or by its shaft.
 10. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 1 wherein the dispatch area is located in the direct extension of the loading area and in that a thrust jack is provided for the displacement in translation of each cartridge from the loading area towards the dispatch area.
 11. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 10, wherein a flap is provided which is mobile between an open position and a closed position and located between the loading area and the dispatch area where each cartridge is dispatched by blowing compressed air.
 12. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 10, wherein the dispatch area comprises a detector for detecting the presence of a cartridge in this area.
 13. The device for dispatching cartridges according to claim 11, wherein the detector is associated with the flap and detects the opening thereof during the passage of a cartridge. 